April 26th 12 - 6 pm
Bloomington Creative Glass Center
229 W. Grimes Ln, Bloomington IN

Celebrate the vibrant arts of Central Africa with BCGC as we explore the visual and performing arts of the area including Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, DRC, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya. Watch live glass blowing demonstrations, make a take-home craft, learn about African Art, listen to music, learn a dance, listen to a storyteller! There is so much to do at this family friendly event.

Thank you to our event partners: Bloomington Storytellers Guild and IU African Studies Program

And our event supporters: Indiana Arts Commission and the Bloomington Arts Commission

Special Exhibit from the IU Eskenazi Museum of Art

Tuesday April 29, 12:30 - 2 pm at the Eskenazi Museum of Art

Join Curator Allison Martino and graduate assistant for African arts Pious Amissah at the Eskenazi Museum of Art for a private tour of their African art collection. We will begin with a brief tour of some pieces regularly on display and then move into the Objects Study Room for a special exhibit of select pieces not normally on view. Some pieces on display will include figures with glass beads from Cameroon Grasslands, minkisi power figures studded with nails, and Kuba arts made with different materials but incorporating the same patterns.

The exhibit is free, but registration is required as spots are limited. Register below!

A very special thanks to our past sponsors!
Become a sponsor today!

Views from Past Culture Celebrations

2022 - Venice Reimagined celebrated Marietta Barovier, the first female glassblower in Italy (1460.) Glassblowing demonstrations featured techniques used in 15th century Italy! We enjoyed period music, sword fighting and murrini inspired art projects.

2023- Focusing on the glassblowing of Tonala and the alebrije (think the movie Coco) traditions of Oaxaca, '¡Viva El Vidrio!' featured live glass blowing demonstrations, hands on art activities for all ages, performances by the IU Mariachi band and IU Ballet Folklorico, dance lessons with Paso a Paso, books and games from Morgenstern’s Booksellers!

2024 - From Umayyads to Ottomans: a Celebration of Medieval Islamic Art explored the arts from the Middle East and Central Asia. The day was filled with live music by Salaam, dancing demonstrations, arabic translations done by the Islamic Center of Bloomington, live glassblowing demonstrations, storytelling from the Bloomington Storytellers Guild and and hands on art projects!